Shahid Afridi named captain for Asia Cup and England tour

[IAJ]

It is now official that Shahid Afridi has been named captain for AC and the England Tour. Source: Geo

At the moment he and Ijaz Butt are attending the meeting with selectors. This is good sign as Afridi at least will have some say in the selection matters.

[adnan yasin]

so he is the TEST CAPTAIN now?:? :D :D :D :D :D

[Afridi_Fan]

Yes. Time to rule the world. :afridi

http://www.hundreds.co.za/images/uploadedimages/LionRoaring.jpg

[IAJ]

so he is the TEST CAPTAIN now?:? :D :D :D :D :D

Yeah, he is test captain, one day captain and T20 captain :)

[Foozee]

but but he gave Saeed Ajmal the last over...

[Afridi_Fan]

but but he gave Saeed Ajmal the last over...

You got a point. Lets re-think. :13:

:D

[adnan yasin]

Gr888 :D ..

i now also just saw it :) ..

gr8 comeback timing by afridi

WE should all pray that he perform underpressure... making a comeback in test and leading the side :D in a tough series

most probably younis khan will be back as well..

but y he is keen to bring back yusuf :(

[IAJ]

Shahid Afridi:

26 tests
293 ODIs
33 T20

Experience guy and the right choice!!!!!!

[adnan yasin]

so what he gave ajmal the last over.. its not the first time....he did that.. some times decision doesnt work some time does....

technical and stratgical error was there in the last over and second last over.. lets not discuss that now .its over

[adnan yasin]

30 names are to be selected very soon

[Afridi_Fan]

:ibutt and :afridi has now joined Selection committee meeting where 30 players will be named for Asia Cup and England Tour.

[insaftak]

I don't trust Afridi in test matches, he will bite the ball again as that format requires patience and afridi has none of it

[zahid01]

Totally disagree with this decision t20 one day captain i can accept but test matches no way some one who has not played any test matches for good few years how can pcb be certain he can do the job i hope for pakistan sake england and australia play terrible that is only chance we have

[Rudi hater]

I reserve my judgement. I personally feel he would not be as good captain as YK. I know this comment would not go down well with Afridi's fans but lets see how good he is in the test series against England.

[TalhaSyed]

Awesome! :D Any idea what time the rest of the squad is being announced?

[Mobashir]

Awesome! :D Any idea what time the rest of the squad is being announced?
:pissed: :pissed: Afridi doesn't need someoneelse in the squad, he alone is enough to beat any team...

Finall,Afridi is given what he deserved for a long time....

[adnan yasin]

yeah lets see.. how he perform in test matches .. it will be tough for sure..

i hope he perform well :D ..

he is a fighter

[Down2Earth]

waiting to see who'll take an oath against him when he stops them from staring at girls. This is the worst thing that could have happened.

[TalhaSyed]

:pissed: :pissed: Afridi doesn't need someoneelse in the squad, he alone is enough to beat any team...

Finall,Afridi is given what he deserved for a long time....

True but we still need to know who the 10 water boys will be :P

[*syed59*]

Everything else apart, the decision to make S.Butt captain would have been worse than this.
A completely new captain for one of the most important of tours = disaster waiting to happen.

And Im eagerly waiting for something positive coming from this tour at the very least after watching 'The Yousuf Torturing Show' few months ago. Hope the team does not disappoint their fans.

[TalhaSyed]

waiting to see who'll take an oath against him when he stops them from staring at girls. This is the worst thing that could have happened.

Nah could have been much much worse...Captain :misbah/ :butt

[IAJ]

Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar and Younis Khan, all set to be named in the 30-mas squad. Sources telling Geo Super

[Afridi_Fan]

:malik :yk and :akhtar expected to be named in the 30 players : Geo Super Hourly News.

[adidazz]

I reserve my judgement. I personally feel he would not be as good captain as YK. I know this comment would not go down with Afridi fans but lets see how good he is in the test series against England.

My friend, i am no Afridi fan by any means. He was not my choice to captain but to say he is not a good as captain as YK is absurd. What do you base that on?

Do you base that on records/stats?

Tests: P W D L
YK 9 1 5 3
Afridi N/A

ODI: P W D L
YK 21 8 0 13
Afridi 2 1 1

T20: P W D L
YK 8 5 3
Afridi 9 5 4

Do you base that on performance?

Both have failed to perform to same standard when pressured with the burden of captaincy.

I would say at the moment their both similar, Afridi has one thing over YK and that is the team are unified under Afridi, though that does not mean it will yield better results.

[Down2Earth]

Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar and Younis Khan, all set to be named in the 30-mas squad. Sources telling Geo Super
The news just keeps on getting better... what can I say?

[TalhaSyed]

Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar and Younis Khan, all set to be named in the 30-mas squad. Sources telling Geo Super

Please be true :D tbh as much of a problem :moyo has been recently...seeing him England wont be the worst thing in the world....but then all the problems in the team come in

[*syed59*]

Yeah basically this 30-man squad thingy acts as a relaxing section for every selector we've had. Relaxing by naming all villains and heroes together, then selecting the 17-man squad until all possible politics is done.

[Afridi_Fan]

My friend, i am no Afridi fan by any means. He was not my choice to captain but to say he is not a good as captain as YK is absurd. What do you base that on?

Do you base that on records/stats?

Tests: P W D L
YK 9 1 5 3
Afridi N/A

ODI: P W D L
YK 21 8 0 13
Afridi 2 1 1

T20: P W D L
YK 8 5 3
Afridi 9 5 4

Do you base that on performance?

Both have failed to perform to same standard when pressured with the burden of captaincy.

I would say at the moment their both similar, Afridi has one thing over YK and that is the team are unified under Afridi, though that does not mean it will yield better results.


:yk has won a WC. :afridi has failed to do that in T20.

:yk has made into Semis of an ODI tournament, :afridi so far has not got the chance to do that.

:yk has scored a triple ton in Tests while captaining, :afridi hasn't yet captained in Tests.

There are the reasons, you'll hear.

[adnan yasin]

ITs still pretty early to judge afridi as captain..

it need time to be a good captain .. ur team should be with you all the time and united thats the first thing

back the captain when he is not performing

captain take suggestions from every one ...implement what he feel like the best possible solution at that time

AFter AFridi we have no other choice for captaincy .. as YK is out of cricket by all means..

[Paradox]

YES! I've been waiting for this news for ages. Thank you! The first day in such a long time that I'm actually happy for Pakistan cricket..

[adnan yasin]

:yk has won a WC. :afridi has failed to do that in T20.

:yk has made into Semis of an ODI tournament, :afridi so far has not got the chance to do that.

:yk has scored a triple ton in Tests while captaining, :afridi hasn't yet captained in Tests.

There are the reasons, you'll hear.



kaunsay ODI tournament kay semi final kee baat kar rahay ho?

[TalhaSyed]

kaunsay ODI tournament kay semi final kee baat kar rahay ho?

Champions Trophy i think

[IAJ]

kaunsay ODI tournament kay semi final kee baat kar rahay ho?

Champions trophy in 2009

[Afridi_Fan]

kaunsay ODI tournament kay semi final kee baat kar rahay ho?


Champions Trophy in South Africa.

[Paradox]

Test lineup

Salman Butt
Ahmed Shehzad
Younus Khan
Fawad Alam
Umar Akmal
Shahid Afridi (c)
Kamran Akmal (wk)
Mohamamad Aamer
Shoaib Akhtar/Umar Gul (Akhtar first choice but only if he's 110% fit, otherwise Gul)
Mohammad Asif
Kaneria

ODI lineup

Salman Butt
Shahzaib Hasan
Shoaib Malik
Fawad Alam
Umar Akmal
Shahid Afridi (c)
Kamran Akmal (wk)
Hammad Azam/Shoaib Akhtar (play Hammad for a stronger batting but weaker bowling option, play Akhtar for a weaker batting but much stronger bowling option)
Mohammad Aamer
Umar Gul
Saeed Ajmal

(Hammad and Malik share overs for the 5th bowler spot)

T20 lineup

Salman Butt/Imran Nazir
Shahzaib Hasan
Shoaib Malik
Shahid Afridi (c)
Umar Akmal
Fawad Alam
Kamran Akmal (wk)
Hammad Azam/Shoaib Akhtar (play Hammad for a stronger batting but weaker bowling option, play Akhtar for a weaker batting but much stronger bowling option)
Mohammad Aamer
Umar Gul
Saeed Ajmal

YES.

[zains_rulez]

Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar and Younis Khan, all set to be named in the 30-mas squad. Sources telling Geo Super

why is still shoaib malik selected for 30-mas squad ?? he created a lot of problems in kiwis/Ausies tour last year. . .please Bann him for life time.

i hate :malik :po:

[IAJ]

why is still shoaib malik selected for 30-mas squad ?? he created a lot of problems in kiwis/Ausies tour last year. . .please Bann him for life time.

i hate :malik :po:

The squad has not been announced yet. This is only a rumour.

[adnan yasin]

shoaib malik par say banned hataa rahay hai kia :O

[adidazz]

:yk has won a WC. :afridi has failed to do that in T20.

:yk has made into Semis of an ODI tournament, :afridi so far has not got the chance to do that.

:yk has scored a triple ton in Tests while captaining, :afridi hasn't yet captained in Tests.

There are the reasons, you'll hear.

Under moyo we won our first test match in three years.

Under malik we went on our best consecutive win run albeit they were against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe

Under malik we were a whisker away from being crowned world champions

malik has the best win/loss percentage than any other Pakistani captain (66.6% in ODI, 75% in T20)

Does that mean they were better or good captains. they were abysmal.

Under :yk other than the WC win and semi final spot in the CT, we lost every ODI/Test series we participated in.

Unfortunately since Inzamam every captain we've had is a flop!


[EDIT BY MODS: PLEASE WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE]

[afridi_captain]

Totally disagree with this decision t20 one day captain i can accept but test matches no way some one who has not played any test matches for good few years how can pcb be certain he can do the job i hope for pakistan sake england and australia play terrible that is only chance we have
So you are saying a different captain will give us more chance of winning.

Like who????? :13:

[adnan yasin]

and WC and champions trophy are more important to me :)

and now its not hidden truth y in the other tours we failed

[pak4life]

It will all end in tears...

What are the chances Afridi will resign half way through the tour?

pretty high!

[adnan yasin]

0 % chance

[Xoib]

It will all end in tears...

What are the chances Afridi will resign half way through the tour?

pretty high!
I have made this prediction few days back will not be surprised though hopefully will not happen.

[adnan yasin]

but y he will resign?.

from where did u guyz have noticed that AFRIDI Is a quitter?

[Brainiac]

So you are saying a different captain will give us more chance of winning.

Like who????? :13:

Anybody that can actually play the game would be a good start.


:))) :14:

[adnan yasin]

They should have announced that afridi is captain till the 2011 world cup

har series kay liye captain chose karnay kee meeting thoree karnee partee hai
:D

[pak4life]

but y he will resign?.

from where did u guyz have noticed that AFRIDI Is a quitter?

I have nothing against Afridi I wish him well hope he does a great job. Lets be honest he is not a team man and never has been. 'Afridi' has always come first and 6 test matches is ALOT in a short space of time ( and he does not like tests) When the going gets tough how will he respond hopefully in a positive way but I have my doubts.

[adnan yasin]

he is not a team man?

define TEAM MAN please


how he will handle and respond ... it will not be easy.. but statement like resign?.. lol thats funny

[Kray_jackson7]

:afridi

The only real option is confirmed

[Luton Bad Boy]

Finally................Afridi is back at his rightful position as captain in all formats...

With Younis Khan and Akhtar in tow, and I am hoping a more solid batting order, this may well be the revival Pakistan cricket has needed in a long while...

Australia better watch out....as the Shark is ready to bite back!!

[adidazz]

imagine this line up

Butt
Malik
Younis
Yousuf
U Akmal
Afridi
K Akmal
M Aamer
S Akhter
M Asif
Danny

mouthwatering prospect.

BUT too too too many problems, they wont even make it to the plane without the backbiting and politicking.

[asifp]

So now a test match batting spot will go to an idiot, who cannot control his urges to lash out.

I think he wont last the 6 tests himself

[zahid01]

So you are saying a different captain will give us more chance of winning.

Like who????? :13:
If they bring back YK i will have him as a test match captain otherwise i would have been happy to see salman butt as a captain in tests i know he is not tried and tested i think he has something about him he can be a good captain i think. just my view lot,s of afridi fans here will disagree i am thinking of pakistan cricket overall not one man

[waqar-uk]

imagine this line up

Butt
Malik
Younis
Yousuf
U Akmal
Afridi
K Akmal
M Aamer
S Akhter (off after 2 overs)
M Asif
Danny

mouthwatering prospect.

BUT too too too many problems, they wont even make it to the plane without the backbiting and politicking.

yes mouthwatering.....for the opposition!!

[Paradox]

Yousuf will NOT be playing as previously reported earlier in this thread, for a couple of reasons.

Firstly - he doesn't get along well with a lot of the other members of the team

Second - he has already said "I have retired from international cricket" and will only be involved in Domestic/County cricket from now on.

Yes it would be good to have him in the Test side but, whatever.. he's lost more games for us than he has won since that "legendary 2006 season". Sorry.

[Amjid Javed]

Well lets hope Afridi doesnt moan about sqaud selection for Asia cup and UK tours if things dont go well!

[zahid01]

I have looked everywhere still i can not see that afridi is being named captain of any thing yet are we jumping the gun here let,s wait and see

[deviously~fading~away]

Well lets hope Afridi doesnt moan about sqaud selection for Asia cup and UK tours if things dont go well!
Well him sitting in the team selection meeting is a start!

[adnan yasin]

i think .. u have not seen GEO SUPER

its been officially announced ...

[sakss]

mubarakaan...now lets hope he regains his form and acts sensibly onthe field.....and ofcourse wins us some matches

[koi1]

to even consider making someone captain who doesn't merit a place in the test team is an absolute joke. this could get worse if he plays himself at 6 as a batsman.

[sharaf katawazi]

what that buda ijaz but doing.afridi is not cricketer.he is only t20 player.where can only swing his bat.

[IAJ]

I have looked everywhere still i can not see that afridi is being named captain of any thing yet are we jumping the gun here let,s wait and see

Welcome to PakPassion, you will get the latest and exclusive newz here brother.

[Xoib]

Well lets hope Afridi doesnt moan about sqaud selection for Asia cup and UK tours if things dont go well!
if?

wow you are optimistic.

[adnan yasin]

what that buda ijaz but doing.afridi is not cricketer.he is only t20 player.where can only swing his bat.



lol

he was at number 9 in ICC ODI BOWLING RANKINGS april 2009


no Other bowlers of pakistan were dere in top 10...

[Ummer Khan]

now that they have appointed him as captain of all the formats,they should back him to the best of their capacities and let the captain have a say in the selection process.PCB should restrict themselves to handling cricket affairs especially IJAZ BUTT and never interfere in the team selectorial policies

[AZ]

wish him the best of luck, he'll certainly need it in England.

[Afridi_Fan]

to even consider making someone captain who doesn't merit a place in the test team is an absolute joke. this could get worse if he plays himself at 6 as a batsman.


Nice start.

Welcome to PP, have a good time. :19:

[TalhaSyed]

How long will this meeting last?

I can just imagine everyone sitting around a table one of the selectors texting away on his mobile, the others selectors discussing dinner plans, afridi chewing on a cricket ball and Butt saab asleep

[Dr. Khan]

:afridi

http://www.hundreds.co.za/images/uploadedimages/LionRoaring.jpg

I am afraid its more like this:
http://extra.listverse.com/amazon/animalmating/hyena.jpg

[AZ]

:D good one doctor sahab

[tanzeel]

Having finished my finals and with nothing to do, I'd pay good money for whatever the selectors/board members are smoking/drinking, to kill the boredom.

[Dr. Khan]

I have nothing against Afridi I wish him well hope he does a great job. Lets be honest he is not a team man and never has been. 'Afridi' has always come first and 6 test matches is ALOT in a short space of time ( and he does not like tests) When the going gets tough how will he respond hopefully in a positive way but I have my doubts.

I agree with this post, all valid points.

[adnan yasin]

yeah ASIA cup.. indians will be like this only ..the picture shown by dR sahab

[Dr. Khan]

he is not a team man?

define TEAM MAN please


how he will handle and respond ... it will not be easy.. but statement like resign?.. lol thats funny

Team == a group organized to work together
Team Spirit == willingness to work in the team or group with loyalty and enthusiasm.

If you take these into account and then the rebellion that Afridi was a part of, you will not see any resemblance of team or team spirit. There was no loyalty or respect shown to either the game, Pakistan, or even team members.

All Afridi has shown thus far is hunger and greed for power and position - the hard fact for him and his fans is that respect is earned not demanded.

[AZ]

the hard fact for him and his fans is that respect is earned not demanded.

a fact that has gone missing on YK fans too.

[Dr. Khan]

a fact that has gone missing on YK fans too.

A lot of us have respect for YK for the mere fact that he is the only one who has repeatedly shown that he plays for the country and not himself. A closer resemblance to the team-man metaphor that was used earlier.

Further, if there was another with even an ounce of integrity and honor that YK has shown time and again I would willingly support him instead to lead the team. What should we expect from the rest, when the captain is amidst all the negativity (rebellion).

[adnan yasin]

Ohh ..:).. .so u guyz are referring to those news..as facts..

OATH TAKING....and afridi was involved in getting the captaincy..against MOYO or YK..

strangely he has not been banned or fined for this act.. malik.. younis..rana and yusuf were banned for this.. and afridi was not the team man:D

he was not even part of test team ... lol.. power hungry

ridiculous..

shoaib malik.. was supported by afridi..younis khan was supported byafridi... as a fan nai .. nazar ata hai .. sub ko Tv par .. kaun under perform kar raha hi kaun acha

POWER HUNGRY GOT THE CAPTAINCY AFTER SO MANY YEARS :D .. gr8 power

i think if he was power hungry.. he would have been made captain b4 malik only on experience grounds .. not even younish won the world cup .. in which afridi played a vital role ..

[AZ]

A lot of us have respect for YK for the mere fact that he is the only one who has repeatedly shown that he plays for the country and not himself. A closer resemblance to the team-man metaphor that was used earlier.

Further, if there was another with even an ounce of integrity and honor that YK has shown time and again I would willingly support him instead to lead the team. What should we expect from the rest, when the captain is amidst all the negativity (rebellion).

how has YK shown above all others that he "plays for the country?"

[Poison]

Having finished my finals and with nothing to do, I'd pay good money for whatever the selectors/board members are smoking/drinking, to kill the boredom.

Just watch Pakistan play for the next few months under this guy's tenure, there won't be a boring moment in sight :afridi :afridi :afridi

[Luton Bad Boy]

Looks like I need to arrange Sky Sports viewing for this summer...

With Afridi at the helm, I agree there won't be a single dull moment...

What would top it all off, if Shoaib Akhtar and Younis Khan make a return to the team and we see the end forever of Sami and Farhat....

We can still dream can't we...

[Dr. Khan]

i think if he was power hungry.. he would have been made captain b4 malik only on experience grounds .. not even younish won the world cup .. in which afridi played a vital role ..

He has always been power hungry.
I do not know how long you have watched cricket but up until 2007 Afridi was in and out of the team like last seasons fashion. How then could he even begin to think about taking the captaincy. As soon as the chips were slightly in favor you have seen his colors.

If you still do not know what I am talking about go to youtube and google Afridi and Eik Din Geo Keh Saath - you will find a video from 2007 in which the horse himself talks about how he is in and out of the team. Towards the end when he is asked if he becomes captain what would he do. From his responses you can clearly see how much he has been in love with this idea to lead. For me, if someone is not even in the team and asked such a question he could be modest and at least mention that at the moment I am working on being regular and the thought has not really even come to mind.

[TalhaSyed]

When will the team be announced? :pissed:

[Black Zero]

Team == a group organized to work together
Team Spirit == willingness to work in the team or group with loyalty and enthusiasm.

If you take these into account and then the rebellion that Afridi was a part of, you will not see any resemblance of team or team spirit. There was no loyalty or respect shown to either the game, Pakistan, or even team members.

All Afridi has shown thus far is hunger and greed for power and position - the hard fact for him and his fans is that respect is earned not demanded.

May I ask, who were those seven who refused to play under Malik? and who was the main beneficiary?


Following your statement should also for those seven too:
"There was no loyalty or respect shown to either the game, Pakistan, or even team members. "

[Dr. Khan]

how has YK shown above all others that he "plays for the country?"

Do not take my word for it, just ask any cricketing expert / analyst / administrator; From Aamir Sohail, Abdul Qadir, even Ijazz Butt to Boycott.

For me personally, he has shown this by stepping down gracefully instead of making it a case of ego like most captains in Pakistans history have done. He did not drop to the same level as the conspirators by trying to make his own grouping. He did not even use the media to throw dirt once he had been banned - how many would have made it personal. Just look back to Malik and Moyo as an example.

Not only that it is the way he carries himself, the way he is. After winning the worldcup T20 he came to the press conference with the flag on his shoulders. He has always played for pakistan and not for Younis Khan.

Find me another who has shown remotely these qualities and I shall support him.

[iHammad]

I hope Khalid Latif isn't selected for Asia Cup.

[LG]

Good luck to him!! Let's see what he can do.

[Paradox]

I hope Khalid Latif isn't selected for Asia Cup.

His knock in the semi final convinced me. :afridi

[UntouchablePlaya]

Any official squad announcement ?

[Dr. Khan]

May I ask, who were those seven who refused to play under Malik? and who was the main beneficiary?


Following your statement should also for those seven too:
"There was no loyalty or respect shown to either the game, Pakistan, or even team members. "

YES .....
Definitely and Immediately Ban those 7 players involved in the oath. I have not always been against Afridi - I even liked him as a player, but after all these things that have come out, none more so than the 'oath' thing, he disgusts me and so do those players that were involved.

As far as the whole Malik fiasco - was there such concrete evidence, did they go to this extent: quran oaths and throwing games on purpose. I think it was handled in the right way back then - they had a problem and they approached the management. Here they took matters in their own hands and look at the way they did it.

On any grounds if you can prove to me that the two scenarios are exactly the same I would also agree to banning the others involved in the other case as well.

You mentioned beneficiary - YK time and again proved that he was not bigger than Pakistan by not taking the captaincy. Before you retort before hearing me out, let me say this is different than continuously quitting once he had the captaincy - here I think he could have shown more thick skin. On the hand, look at Afridi comes out of test retirement to take the captaincy.

[Paradox]

No. The 30 man probables will be announced soon, followed by the 15 (or maybe a few men more as the tour will be long) squad announced a while after that, probably after the Asia Cup.

For the Asia Cup itself though, 15 men will be announced. No need for probables.

[IMMY69]

I love it that people always accued Yk of quitting, Younis IQUIT Khan...

Now we have a captain who has 'refused' or 'retired' from test cricket atleast twice!

Where was he when Pakistan needed him? Was he so fearful of winning his spot int he test side that he felt it was better to retire then to try and win back his spot?

Did he not want to work harder at his game so that he could push himself into the test side?

Is it just that he prefered the shorter, slam bang format, which best suited his temperament which begs the question, why has he changed his mind now?

Now that he is captain I hope for the best..I want Pakistan to win and to win well...But the double standards and the sheer hypocracy on this board is somewhat confusing to say the least!

[hashmist]

Who is the VC? Butt?

[IMMY69]

Who is the VC? Butt?

Yes it is Butt, its Ijaz Butt! Non playing VC!

[hur rizvi]

When will the 15 man squad for Asia cup will be annouced??

[TalhaSyed]

When will the 15 man squad for Asia cup will be annouced??

been waiting for almost 4 hours still nothing

[tanzeel]

Just watch Pakistan play for the next few months under this guy's tenure, there won't be a boring moment in sight :afridi :afridi :afridi
Depends on how you define entertainment. I don't consider "wham bam, thank you ma'am, 15 runs scored of 10, need to get a drink now" entertainment.

[Poison]

Depends on how you define entertainment. I don't consider "wham bam, thank you ma'am, 15 runs scored of 10, need to get a drink now" entertainment.

What about wham bam, thank you ma'am 156 runs scored off 127 and the like? Will be exciting, nonetheless.

[Saj]

Yes Afridi has been chosen as skipper for all 3 formats.

I was led to believe that the tenure is initially 2 years but lets wait for the PCB to confirm that.

[TalhaSyed]

Yes Afridi has been chosen as skipper for all 3 formats.

I was led to believe that the tenure is initially 2 years but lets wait for the PCB to confirm that.

does :ibutt or any one on the PCB know what that means? :20:

Saj bhai any word on when the squad will be announced?

[Paradox]

2 years?

Awesome. He'll lead us in the next series against India.. AND the WC 2011. :D

[Poison]

Yeah 2 year tenure means nothing. He could be gone in 6 months, he could be captaining till 2054.

[Sir john]

good move

[Paradox]

It's taken long though. He's made his debut in 1996.. and only FOURTEEN years later, he's gotten a chance to lead the side properly.

[Afridi_Fan]

Pakistan's Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi is all set to take over the reins of the ODI and Test side as well for the upcoming Asia Cup and the tour of England.
Although the Board was yet to make a formal announcement in this regard, sources confirmed that Afridi along with team manager Yawar Saeed on Tuesday met Butt in his office to discuss the future tours where the flamboyant all-rounder was offered the captaincy for all three formats of the game.

"The meeting also discussed the scenario in view of yesterday's meeting of the National Assembly standing committee on sports which recommended that the bans and fines on players be removed," a source said.

"Afridi was asked by the chairman whether he had any problems accepting Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik back in the team and he said no he was fine with their presence in the Test side," the source added.

This is the first time that Afridi will lead Pakistan in Tests and the all-rounder himself has not played any since mid 2006 in England.

"Yawar's presence indicates how influential a role he is wielding these days in the cricket affairs because he was the one who convinced Afridi to make himself available for the Tests as well," another source said.

After their meeting, Afridi and Butt went into a discussion with the national selection committee at the Gaddafi stadium for the finalisation of the names of 30 probables for the Asia Cup and England tour.

Former captain, Younis Khan, who on Tuesday left for England to play for county Surrey until mid-July, is expected to be named in the probables for the England tour. Fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar is also expected to be recalled in the short list of players.

Pakistan, after playing in the Asia Cup in June, will leave for England to play two-Test series against Australia and then a four-Test series against England.

They will also feature in four T20 internationals and five one-dayers on the tour. Afridi recently led Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies where they lost to Australia in the semifinals.



http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/international-cricket/news/detail/item445103/Afridi-to-lead-Pak-in-all-formats/

[Rizwan25]

Let's see how long this nut will last? I say he will be lucky if he survives as a captain after Eng tour.

[sakss]

Shahid Afridi's decision to play Tests comes as a shot in the arm for a side seriously lacking in experience © Getty Images


Related LinksNews : Afridi says he is 'ready' for Tests
Players/Officials: Shahid Afridi
Teams: Pakistan


Shahid Afridi will captain Pakistan in the Asia Cup ODIs to be held in Sri Lanka from June 15, as well as on the Test tour of England where Pakistan will play the hosts and Australia. Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik return to the squad pending a decision on their bans.

Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, reposed his faith in Afridi's leadership skills while making the announcement. "It is a quality of a captain that he fosters cooperation and good relations among the players while following the rules and regulations of the game. Afridi has done all that," Butt said.

Pakistan's last ODI assignment was the five-match series in Australia where they lost every game. Afridi, who led the side in the final one-dayer, controversially bit into the ball in the closing stages of that match. The PCB had announced sanctions against seven cricketers after the Australia tour, including indefinite bans on tour captain Mohammad Yousuf, and former captains Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik. Afridi himself was fined and put on probation for six months, but led an inexperienced side to the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 in the West Indies. Given the absence of senior hands in the current set-up, he was a front-runner for the Asia Cup captaincy.

The leadership decision for the Tests in England was a more tricky call, given Afridi's on-and-off tryst with whites. He made a surprise retirement from the format in 2006, before reversing his decision and participating in the England tour that year. He played the last of his 26 Tests for Pakistan on that tour. His announcement on Saturday, declaring his intent to play Tests again, came as welcome news for the team which was suffering from a serious lack of experience.
http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/460859.html

[shaaan]

2 year tenure means nothing in Pak cricket. Even though I would not have given Afridi captaincy for the test side. I am all for giving him fair chance of proving himself as a worthy captain. If he still makes the same mistakes or does not perform at the end of the England tour then you may have to look at things idfferently.

[Paradox]

Rizwan25, why are you saying Afridi is a nut and have a picture of him in your avatar? I can clearly recall you were a huge fan of him earlier.

Seriously? Wow.

[Paradox]

Just watched the press conference on Geo btw..

Umar Gul has said he's STILL unfit so he won't be playing apparently, but he is in the 30-odd man squad for the England tour..

There will b a fitness camp held before the tour too which will be approx. 5 days, in Karachi.

[Amjid Javed]

2 years?

Lets see how results go this summer against Aus and England!

[cricwiz]

2 years?

Lets see how results go this summer against Aus and England!

This statement shows how fickle we fans are...

Am not targetting AJ statement..

2 years in Pakistan cricket is a big time...

Yup, if Afridi's team performs a miracle and defeats Eng/Aussies than he would become untouchable.... But thats a poor Pakistani fan dream

[ChennaiFan]

Afridi has become a very good spinner in the last couple of years. He deserves to be in the test side. Hope his approach in tests is daring and measured.

[adnan yasin]

He has always been power hungry.
I do not know how long you have watched cricket but up until 2007 Afridi was in and out of the team like last seasons fashion. How then could he even begin to think about taking the captaincy. As soon as the chips were slightly in favor you have seen his colors.

If you still do not know what I am talking about go to youtube and google Afridi and Eik Din Geo Keh Saath - you will find a video from 2007 in which the horse himself talks about how he is in and out of the team. Towards the end when he is asked if he becomes captain what would he do. From his responses you can clearly see how much he has been in love with this idea to lead. For me, if someone is not even in the team and asked such a question he could be modest and at least mention that at the moment I am working on being regular and the thought has not really even come to mind.


ok if thats the case ... and he was in and out of team AS U SAID.. so didnt make him captain .. Agreed... he didnt use ne politics or strategy to be the captain that time :D

now he deserve to be de captain or not?... or he under perform in any captaincy so that he can be de captain ?

I would like to tell u :) he was not making group in the team they were some one else.. I hope u r reading all current news

[Atif]

It's great news, the team unites together when he is captain, and as a player and captain Afridi will improve each day. Things are looking for Pakistan

[ShehryarK]

Poll added :)